Composition of the U.S. Supreme Court Shifts in Favor of Conservatives

Donald Trump, with the selection of a second new member for the U.S. Supreme Court during his presidency of less than eighteen months, is likely to solidify conservative control over this institution and please his supporters who are decisive on social issues. According to Reuters on Wednesday, July 6, shortly after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, White House officials stated that Donald Trump now has the opportunity to shape the composition of the highest judicial body in the U.S. for decades to come. A senior White House official said this is an opportunity for Donald Trump to advance changes in the judiciary. Mr. Trump said on Wednesday evening at a rally in North Dakota regarding this selection: 'We need to choose a very good option, one that will be a member for 40 to 45 years.' The selection of a new member for the Supreme Court could even overturn the legal right to abortion; the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in a landmark decision in 1973. The repeal of the abortion rights law or limiting parts of it has been one of the oldest aspirations of American conservatives and played a significant role in mobilizing Christian conservatives in favor of Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Although Anthony Kennedy, appointed to the Supreme Court by Ronald Reagan, is a conservative judge, he had 'swing votes' as he agreed with liberal judges on some of the most important social issues, such as the legal rights of homosexuals and the defense of abortion rights. Now, Donald Trump can give the Supreme Court a 5 to 4 majority in favor of the right and conservative side even on controversial social issues by selecting a conservative judge. Reuters reminds us that although changing the abortion rights law was not a central campaign slogan of Donald Trump, many voters and conservative members of the Republican Party want it repealed, and Mr. Trump has promised to appoint someone to the Supreme Court who opposes abortion. However, selecting an extreme conservative also carries risks, as he will need the support of moderate senators to confirm his choice in the Senate, where Republicans have a slim majority. White House officials have said that Donald Trump will soon begin discussions with 25 candidates proposed by the 'Federalist Society,' and his goal is to have the new Supreme Court member confirmed by the Senate in the fall. The Federalist Society is an organization with conservative ideas and has significant influence in the American legal community. The confirmation of the new Supreme Court member in the congressional midterm election campaign could benefit the president and the Republican Party. Republicans are trying to maintain their control over U.S. legislative bodies, although polls show that the Democratic Party has a good chance of gaining a majority in the House of Representatives. A White House official said, 'Every time midterm elections come around, the important question is whether your supporters will go to the polls or not. A major political battle over the Supreme Court will certainly remind voters that this election is very important.'